Mixed emotions for Irish boxers at the European Games

DEJECTED: Irelandās Amy Broadhurst after the fight on Wednesday. Pic Credit Ā©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
It was a day that filled some hearts with hope, while ripping others to pieces. A day that made some Irish boxersā dreams a reality, while taking others to the abattoir.
For Kellie Harrington and Amy Broadhurst, there were contrasting tears at the Nowy Targ Arena in Poland on Wednesday, with one Olympic dream realised ā again ā and the other deferred.
Nine Irish boxers stepped into the ring at the European Games with everything on the line. Five won their bouts, with three booking their place at the Paris Olympics and the other two needing one more win. For the other four, this wasnāt the end, but to some it felt like it.
Few understood this rollercoaster quite like Harrington, who spent the last few months learning that many donāt like to deal in nuanced shades of grey, the public pile-on following her awkward interview on OffTheBall a reminder that the be-kind brigade often jettison their preachings when they catch scent of an opinion they donāt agree with.
Harrington struggled this year, her performances devoid of their typical dominance. Only in a recent camp did things begin to click. Pitched in against Swedenās Agnes Alexiusson for the 60kg quarter-final, she relied on her speed, guile and litheness of movement to carry her into Fridayās semi-finals, netting Olympic qualification.
āI feel like Iām finally back again, enjoying it again. There was a moment I didn't think I wanted to be here. I was (planning on) retiring without telling anybody after this if I didn't qualify for Paris. So, it looks like Iām going to be here a little while longer.ā
Amy Broadhurst cut a disconsolate figure following her 3-2 defeat in the 66kg quarter-final to Britainās Rosie Joy Eccles, the pain too much for the world and European champion to put into words.
She later took to Instagram: āHeartbroken isnāt the word. I always thought my destiny was the Olympic Games, I believed I was born for boxing, I was to be an Olympic champion and thatās not the way itās gone for me. I donāt know whatās next. I donāt know if Iāll ever strap an amateur glove around my hand again or if Iāll go pro.ā
Broadhurst could qualify for Paris at the world qualifiers next year, but gaining selection for those depends on her performance at Irish nationals in November. One boxer who wonāt have to worry about that is Michaela Walsh, who breezed to her second Olympics by beating Denmarkās Melissa Juvonen Mortensen 5-0 in the 57kg quarter-final.
āIāve achieved a lot in the last year and Iād be greedy to ask for more, but Iām going to try the best I can to go to the Olympics and win a medal,ā she said.
Dean Clancy turned in a performance beyond his 21 years to win the menās 63.5kg quarter-final, his thoughts swiftly turning to his grandfather, Tony, who was laid to rest in Sligo at lunchtime Wednesday.
āI know heās looking down and he wouldnāt want me to be grieving too much in competition. Iāve secured one medal, so now itās about getting a better colour ā first silver, then gold.ā
Jennifer Lehane was outclassed by Bulgariaās Stanimira Petrova in the womenās 54kg quarter-final, losing 5-0. Kelyn Cassidy lost a close contest to Ukraineās Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the 80kg quarter-final.
Daina Moorehouse was edged out in controversial circumstances in her 50kg quarter-final on a 3-2 split decision. Jack Marley was an impressive winner of his 92kg quarter-final and needs one more win to secure Olympic qualification. Same goes for Aoife OāRourke, who claimed a 5-0 victory in her 75kg quarter-final.